North Hill

We're working hard to make our nature reserves safe and ready for our staff, visitors and wildlife. Many have now re-opened in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, although some facilities are not yet available. Some reserves remain closed for now. See our COVID-19 updates page for the latest information (link below).

Address: RSPB North Hill, Papa Westray KW17 2BU

Grid ref: HY495538

See our reserves Covid-19 updates page for which sites are open and other important details.

There's nowhere quite like Papa Westray. Studded with delicate wildflowers, North Hill is perhaps Orkney's finest area of maritime heath. The reserve is home to an extremely rare plant, the Scottish primrose, while stunning low-level cliffs play host to nationally important numbers of breeding Arctic terns and skuas.

Plan your visit

Open at all times.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Facilities

Car park
Guided walks
Viewing point
Nature trails
Educational facilities

Accessibility

Full accessibility information (external website)

How to get here

By road

From the pier or airfield, travel northward along the main road. Continue past Rose Cottage (painted pink) until the road bends sharply to the right at the reserve entrance.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

Papa Westray can be reached from Mainland Orkney by either ferry or plane - see the Papa Westray site for further information.

For flights and ferry information to Orkney, contact VisitOrkney at West Castle Street, Kirkwall, KW15 1GU. Website: visitorkney.com Tel: 01856 872856.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Group visits are welcome. Please contact the Orkney office on 01856 850176.

School visits are available on our Orkney reserves on a variety of topics. Please contact the Orkney Office on 01856 850176 for further details.

10 degrees, Light rain

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 128Kb

North Hill trail guide

Contact North Hill

RSPB North Hill, Papa Westray KW17 2BU
orkney@rspb.org.uk
01856 850176

What will you see?

Our star species

Arctic skua

They come to places like Papa Westray to breed but spend all their other time at sea.

Arctic tern

They nest on the island, but be careful not to stray too close to their nests, as they will attack!

Guillemot

Although ungainly above water, underwater they are agile and manoeuvrable.

Kittiwake

Visit in spring and early summer and your ears will be filled with their calls.

Puffin

Enjoy the comical antics of puffins in spring and early summer from the viewing points on the cliffs.

Nature spectacles

Look closely for the tiny precious purple blooms of Scottish primrose in May and July. These rare flowers are found in just a few locations in Orkney and North Scotland.

Seabirds are returning to the cliffs to breed including guillemots, razorbills, puffins and kittiwakes. Great and Arctic skuas claim territories. At the beginning of May, Arctic terns arrive to begin breeding amongst the heather. The rare Scottish primrose at Fowl Craig begins flowering in mid-May.

Enjoy coastal plants which are in full bloom along the cliff tops, while seabirds feed chicks on the cliff ledges. The Scottish primrose at Fowl Craig flowers again in July and you should see breeding wading birds. Seals, whales and dolphins can be seen around the coast.

Occasionally, dolphins and whales can be seen breaking the surface on calm days. Autumn is a time when many unusual bird species can turn up on Papa Westray - keep your eyes peeled and you may be lucky enough to spot a rarity.

Great northern divers, black guillemots and red-throated divers can be seen offshore. Both grey and common seals may be hauled up on the rocky shore or surfing in the waves.

About North Hill

Habitat

Explore a magical maritime heathland studded with delicate wildflowers as you explore the wild coast. The low-lying cliffs along the reserve's east coast hold a small, but densely packed colony of guillemots, razorbills, shags and kittiwakes. Look out for puffins and black guillemots around the coast.

Conservation

We are maintaining the special maritime heath for the benefit of breeding populations of Arctic terns and Arctic skuas, while protecting the site from marine pollution and introduced mammalian predators.

Seasonal grazing by cattle helps breeding waders, including lapwings, redshanks and snipe. We are also working to protect breeding seabirds, including guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars, black guillemots and razorbills.

We use regular monitoring to inform our management of the reserve, including surveys of key breeding bird species and studies on seabird productivity.

Site information

The North Hill nature reserve covers an area of 206 hectares and is largely maritime heathland bounded by sea cliffs and rocky shoreline. The reserve is managed in partnership with the North Hill Grazing Committee and is owned by the community. The special habitats and species found here are recognised by designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Protection Area (SPA) and Marine Protection Area (MPA).

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Activities and events

Activities for children and families

Guided walks are available in the summer months. Please check our website for family-friendly events.

Leisure activities

School visits are available on our Orkney reserves on a variety of topics. Please contact the Orkney Office on 01856 850176 for further details.

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